Presence, Not Performance: The Confidence Others Feel Around You

The need for “executive presence” is the vague phrase that shows up in performance reviews as the reason women don't get the promotion – even though almost no one can define it. Lindsay Patterson, co-founder and CEO of CPA QualityPro, joins Nancy and Questian to strip it down to something simpler and more meaningful: instilling confidence in others that you're the right person for the job. They dig into the double-standard that turns an assertive woman into "aggressive"; what to do when office culture rewards the loudest jerk in the room; and why walking away from a toxic culture is never failure.SponsorsBill - http://bill.com/shecountsRelay - https://relayfi.com/shecountsKarbon - https://karbonhq.com/(00:00) - Welcome to She Counts (01:14) - Meet Lindsay Patterson (04:14) - First-Day Reporter Shock (07:07) - Lessons on Respect and Power (08:18) - Defining Executive Presence (11:45) - Double Standards and Toxic Cultures (17:13) - Presence Without Assimilation (19:35) - Being Yourself in Leadership (23:28) - Overprepared to Be Taken Seriously (25:07) - Research Gravitas Competence Warmth (27:46) - Practical Steps to Build Presence (29:30) - Rehearse Like a Pro (29:58) - Audio vs Body Language (32:00) - Handling Tech Chaos (32:31) - Dress Rehearsal Wardrobe (33:51) - Zoom Outfit Fails (35:05) - Camera On Executive Presence (37:29) - Zoom Setup and Focus (38:14) - Confidence and Composure (40:08) - First Impressions Take Space (42:32) - Navigating the Double Bind (44:24) - Power Systems and Allies (47:28) - Bias Culture and Inclusion (50:04) - Everyone Is Faking It (53:34) - Confidence Equals Preparation (55:40) - Community and Final Signoff Show notes:•   Guest on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/lindsaypatterson•   CPA QualityPro – cpaqualitypro.com•   The Accounting Podcast – “Solving for CPA Mobility with Lindsay Patterson” – accounting.show/472•   Amy Cuddy TED Talk – “Your body language may shape who you are” – ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy•   Sylvia Ann Hewlett – Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Merit and Success•   Earmark CPE – earmark.app SPONSORS: [Bill, Relay, Karbon]Join Our LinkedIn Page!https://www.linkedin.com/company/she-counts-podcastSubscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@SheCountsPodcastFollow She Counts on IGhttps://www.instagram.com/shecounts.show/Connect with Nancyhttps://www.thedancingaccountant.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-mcclelland-cpaConnect with Questianhttps://www.reqoncilefinancials.com/